holiday marketing guide - 2014 - swain marketing creative llc

swainmarketing & creative

www.bringtheswain.com | (540) 336- 3981 | Swain Marketing Creative, LLC

THE NOT TOO LATEHOLIDAY MARKETING GUIDE



About this Guide.Busy is an understatement. But seriously, it’s not too late for you to start your holiday marketing campaigns. It’s the perfect way to give back and say “thank you” this holiday season to the organizations you work so hard to gain and keep you in business.

This easy reference guide is designed to give you quick ideas you can put to work now to create successful holiday marketing campaigns - for any budget. From email marketing and social media to direct mail, these tips will help you bring your ideas to life, reach your valuable customers (and prospects), and make an impact.

How I Help.Agency experience. Creative thinker. Endless opportunity. Let’s tell your story.

I’m Matt Swain and I love marketing. (Seriously). There’s a lot of different marketing I can do. From innovative digital marketing, social media, email marketing, and copy writing that sells, to newsletters, trade shows, and public relations, I’m ready to help you create the perfect campaign and mar-keting strategy to knock out the competition, tell your story, impact sales, build ROI, enhance awareness, increase attendees…the opportunities are endless.Learn more at www.bringtheswain.com



Tip # 1 – Create a Joyful Noise with Social MediaPut the power of one of the least expensive marketing tools to work! Using your organization’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google +, or YouTube account, give a big “shout out” to your customers, linking to their own social media page(s). You get to build further credibility in your industry and your customers gets FREE press!

Here’s a few ideas:

■ In December do 31 days of thankfulness, giving each customer a dedicated post every day or week, depending on your marketing schedule.

■ When posting, go into a few details (just a few words) on the product or service you provide.

■ Don’t forget to link to images – and good ones. We are visual readers and this will boost your chances of standing out from the crowd.

Tip # 2 - Dash Right into their Inbox with a Creative Email Marketing Campaign.Using a current and qualified client email list, let your contacts know you are thinking about them this time of the year and that you appreciate their business with a personalized marketing email. It’s your opportunity to stay in contact, remind them of additional services, and reflect on how this year has been for your organization and update on the exciting things in store for them (and you!).

■ Don’t forget to link to other services on your website, using a great email tracking tool so you can see which links they visit. A few days after the send, call them and talk about the other services they had an interest in based on their clicks.

■ Don’t forget to include your personal contact information. Account managers and contacts change a lot, you’ll want them to know who they can call for help.

■ Subject lines matter. Have fun and get creative, but stay CAN-SPAM compliant. Remember, other vendors will be using “Happy Holidays” in the subject line, so you might want to try something else to reach top reading priority.

■ For prospects, use this as a way to build credibility, reflect on the year you had, how you are advancing your industry, and how you can help them.

Try these



Tip # 3 – Use Direct Mail to Make their Spirits Bright (and Get Noticed)Yes, direct mail still works. Seriously. Whether you are sending a corporate holiday card, personalized postcard, or 2 turtle doves, this is your chance. Plus, don’t forget to:

■ Sign your card and include a handwritten note addressed to your customers’ name.

■ Use personalization in the copy and images – get creative.

■ A lot of holiday mail goes out, so plan accordingly for First-Class or Standard Delivery.

■ Combine the copy with a URL that takes them to a landing page to register for your next event, sign up for more info, or purchase a year end deal.

Tip # 4 – Give New Meaning into the 12 Days of Christmas with a Special GiftWoah – you mean I have to spend a ton of cash this season on my customers and prospects? Nope, but you can if you want. Send a (higher-end) promo item with your logo, food, or tickets to Hawaii just to say “thank you for theirbusiness”.

■ Segment your customers / prospects by revenue to save on different levels / tiers of gifts.

■ Food always gets noticed. Don’t forget their staff!

■ Send something different than what you normally do. Instead of that pen, send food with your logo on it or a gift that can be used again (a wooden toy truck with candy can be given to their children or kept on their desk).

■ A little something specific to your client can go a long way. A simple gift card to an area restaurant or movie theater works too.



Tip # 5 – Never Forget there are Others In Need during the Holidays.Outside of making money, you and your business are part of something big. Consider donating proceeds of your gift budget, or purchase your gifts, greeting cards or holiday supplies directly from a charity you and your organization support. (I’ve purchased greeting cards from UNICEF where part of the revenue went towards immunizations and healthcare for children. I worked for a healthcare consulting firm at the time, so the mission fit right in.).

■ Do your research on the charity – how much of the revenue is donated to the cause?

■ Can you publicly support the charity, its mission, vision and operating practices?

■ Don’t be afraid to tell others what you have done. Include your goodwill donations in employee newsletters, press releases, and other communications.

Holiday Marketing Made Easy.Need help this holiday season with your holiday marketing campaigns I’m ready!

Contact me @ [email protected] or 540.336.3981 and we can put together the right plan for you.

Happy Holidays!

holiday marketing guide - 2014 - swain marketing creative llc

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